Note from the staff - please read

A short time ago, I posted a thread reminding everyone of the modification to the trolling rule we have that specifically says we will not tolerate "calling out" of other members as trolls, or implying they have some sort of agenda when they post.

Recently, I have noticed a resurgence in activity very similar to back in 2007 time frame and that activity falls under this rule as well.

With all new hardware, comes a speculation phase. Unknowns abound. Price? Features? Software? All of these are virtual unknowns until a console is on the street.

As a consequence, there are typically a flood of news articles, spotty journalism, and some flat out fanboy blogs that get posted on PSU as discussion items. Not all of these are going to be roses and rainbows. Some articles may point out console shortcomings. Some will praise the console. It is the RIGHT of our members to post either news article, or anything they think will inspire a debate/discussion.

I have seen people post stuff like "here is (member) posting YET ANOTHER negative article..." and then go on to label the person a fanboy, or troll. When in fact, these individuals usually just go to N4G or GAF and find whatever they can to post. Doesn't mean it will all be happy, let's pat each other on the back for having a great console article. You have to realize there is good and bad to everything.

So, in short... anyone caught labeling other members trolls for ANY REASON, be it posting news of a negative tone, or whatever, will receive an infraction. All it does is derail threads when you call out someone like that. The ONLY way to handle it is to report the person to staff and let us decide what, if anything, should be done to the person.

It is infuriating at times that we have a base of the population here that thinks anything not perfectly in favor of their console, be it MS, NIN, or Sony, is trolling. That simply isn't the case. Negativity surrounds all gaming consoles, and we are just tired of seeing people harass other members who post negative toned articles. It isn't always trolling, sometimes it is and that is where the report button comes in. We aren't saying these people post this stuff naively and aren't out to poke the proverbial bear, but rather we are saying let US decide that....

A short time ago, I posted a thread reminding everyone of the modification to the trolling rule we have that specifically says we will not tolerate "calling out" of other members as trolls, or implying they have some sort of agenda when they post.

Recently, I have noticed a resurgence in activity very similar to back in 2007 time frame and that activity falls under this rule as well.

With all new hardware, comes a speculation phase. Unknowns abound. Price? Features? Software? All of these are virtual unknowns until a console is on the street.

As a consequence, there are typically a flood of news articles, spotty journalism, and some flat out fanboy blogs that get posted on PSU as discussion items. Not all of these are going to be roses and rainbows. Some articles may point out console shortcomings. Some will praise the console. It is the RIGHT of our members to post either news article, or anything they think will inspire a debate/discussion.

I have seen people post stuff like "here is (member) posting YET ANOTHER negative article..." and then go on to label the person a fanboy, or troll. When in fact, these individuals usually just go to N4G or GAF and find whatever they can to post. Doesn't mean it will all be happy, let's pat each other on the back for having a great console article. You have to realize there is good and bad to everything.

So, in short... anyone caught labeling other members trolls for ANY REASON, be it posting news of a negative tone, or whatever, will receive an infraction. All it does is derail threads when you call out someone like that. The ONLY way to handle it is to report the person to staff and let us decide what, if anything, should be done to the person.

But is it worthwhile if the person posting it, knows it will lead to a certain kind of debate/outcome? (and I'm not talking about a positive one)

It seems people start threads to incite a certain kind of response, that tends to aggravate certain members, depending on whether the "news" is good or bad and what it applies to.

But is it worthwhile if the person posting it, knows it will lead to a certain kind of debate/outcome? (and I'm not talking about a positive one)

It seems people start threads to incite a certain kind of response, that tends to aggravate certain members, depending on whether the "news" is good or bad and what it applies to.

It is at that point that you make your case in a report.. not in the thread. We can $#@!can the thread if you make the case of why it shouldn't be there. The point is, the members should not be self moderating with insults and witch hunts.

Is it? What other forums give out infraction to someone for calling someone out?

Plenty of other forums... it ties in with derailing a thread. A lot of forums have no derailing rules. PSU is unique in that we have multiple levels of infractions. Most other sites just use bans to make their point.

we want discussions, not childish name calling and arguments. Calling a person out only derails a topic. It serves no purpose other than you (general, not YOU) get to make the snarky face like you just caught them.

Go look at the recent infractions and tell me we are too strict. We rarely infract anyone. And we let A LOT slide around here. We let you guys swear, let you guys battle out in the VS section. We hand out more warnings than anything.

Yep thats true. If anything this forum has a good balance of not being too strict while not being too lax either. Keep the battles to the VS section. Thats what its there for.

Plenty of other forums... it ties in with derailing a thread. A lot of forums have no derailing rules. PSU is unique in that we have multiple levels of infractions. Most other sites just use bans to make their point.

we want discussions, not childish name calling and arguments. Calling a person out only derails a topic. It serves no purpose other than you (general, not YOU) get to make the snarky face like you just caught them.

Please provide proof.

Go look at the recent infractions and tell me we are too strict. We rarely infract anyone. And we let A LOT slide around here.

We let you guys swear, let you guys battle out in the VS section. We hand out more warnings than anything.

No offense but why are you using the term YOU and not us all? Are you more important than the rest of us?

You'd be banned on GAF right now for thread whining!

Oh the mighty gaf, the forum that looks $#@! and you cant sign up. I do read some post on there and they call each other out without getting banned.

I actually think that calling someone out as a fan boi or girl makes the tread fun and more exciting. Who really cares if it derails the thread? it makes for some very interesting reading.

“Two possibilities exist: Either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” Arthur C. Clarke

No offense but why are you using the term YOU and not us all? Are you more important than the rest of us?

Oh the mighty gaf, the forum that looks $#@! and you cant sign up. I do read some post on there and they call each other out without getting banned.

I actually think that calling someone out as a fan boi or girl makes the tread fun and more exciting. Who really cares if it derails the thread? it makes for some very interesting reading.

Item #1, just as a quick example of proof... Rules from NeoGAF. Not only do they make it clear you can be banned for any reason, they also have a calling out rule.

NeoGAF is a place to hold civil discussions about videogames, the videogame industry, and all videogame-related material. The Off-Topic forum is also available for general discussion, but follows the same principals, requirements (sans the requirement of the discussions to be related to videogames), and terms for acceptable material. Heated debates on the forums are welcome, as long as they abide by the established guidelines. If an administrator or moderator sees that a thread or poster violates these guidelines, the thread may be closed or deleted, and posters may be permanently or temporarily banned from the forum. Please keep in mind that there is no tenure granted on this forum--your post count or association with other posters does not protect you from being banned. Additionally, bans are not necessarily precipitated in their entirety by a single violative event. The sum of actions leading up to a member’s removal is taken into account, so what may appear to be a minor breach of conduct may actually be the final occurrence in a long string of offenses.

B. Trolling

Trolling is considered to be the act of purposely being disingenuous to an active discussion. Negative commentary on given topics is by no means disallowed; however, such comments should attempt to be substantiated. No matter your supposed intent, if the forum administrators perceive you as a troll making unsubstantiated comments in an attempt to provoke the community, actions may be taken by the administrators.

E. No posts should be made regarding your opinion of another user's actions or behavior. You may not discuss the NeoGAF rules and regulations on the forum. Any and all discussions regarding these matters should be discussed by email only.

So basically, I took bit and pieces from various other forums and formulated our "no call out" and "zero tolerance for trolling" rules.

As for your second point, there is no need to address that. The "you" was a generality, every day conversation, and we won't get into a petty argument over the semantics of the term.

Third, See above. NeoGAF may not ban each and every post that people call out on. Even here, where there are fewer posts, we don't catch all trolling or insults. We rely on members to use the report button to bring stuff to our attention. Derailing by being an ass to another member doesn't make for interesting conversation for the people who want to actually discuss the thread topic.

Here's a little insight into how little we DO actually infract. These numbers start at the system upgrade, June 10, 2010. The bracketed number is the total number of those infractions recorded. Remember, this is over the course of THREE years. Instant Perma Bans include, are 99% bots. Custom infractions are infractions where a moderator has typically issued a warning, modifying the infraction to not assign points, but serve to remind the member of a rule violation. Some of the other numbers can actually be warnings as well, but show up as a full infraction. Take from this what you will, but other than the BOTS instant perma bans, I would estimate the better part of 50-60% of our infractions are zero point warnings.

at Gamespot forum everyone calling one another fanboy and it is so like a battle area in every tread , insults are flying, check it, it will be a great example of the one who desires... Calling one is something may seem ugly but no stuff moves to some specific members who is definitely posting just for irritating the other. I don't care for them usually, but someone care pick the spark and it can easily grows...then it takes my attention too. Hope you can stop this in the next-gen threads.

at Gamespot forum everyone calling one another fanboy and it is so like a battle area in every tread , insults are flying, check it, it will be a great example of the one who desires... Calling one is something may seem ugly but no stuff moves to some specific members who is definitely posting just for irritating the other. I don't care for them usually, but someone care pick the spark and it can easily grows...then it takes my attention too. Hope you can stop this in the next-gen threads.

This is FACT you get hit with the stupidest $#@! on other forums trust me i KNOW lol

Just be respectful when people post a rebuttal there is no need for name calling or childish tactics.

Be grateful there is a staff that will always try to do the right thing for the community other forums staff just wants to play cop and dont give two $#@!s about the community again i speak from experience on this